Shell cross-linked polymer micelles: stabilized assemblies with great versatility and potential

Shell cross-linked polymer micelles have been introduced within the past 3 years, and they have already demonstrated great promise as robust nanostructured core-shell nanospheres. The formation of cross-links throughout the shell of polymer micelles offers stability to the nanostructured assemblies, by providing reinforcement to the weak interactions that facilitate polymer micelle existence. Cross-linking can be accomplished by direct reaction between the chain segments located within the polymer micelle shell, or via addition of multi-functional cross-linking reagents. The dimensions, composition, and properties of each of the domains of the polymer micelles can be controlled by selection of diblock copolymer composition, conditions for polymer micelle assembly, and chemistry used for cross-linking. An overview of each of the examples of SCK nanospheres currently known is presented here.